Robin van Persie is 10-3 to start the new season in Arsenal colours PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal to tour Asia without Van Persie
ROBIN VAN PERSIE has been left out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour to Asia suggesting a move away from the Emirates is firmly on the cards and the contract rebel is now out to 9-2 with bet365 to still be a Gunner when the summer transfer window shuts.
A move to Manchester is highly likely – Arsenal turned down a bid from United – and it’s City who remain favourites for van Persie’s signature. The Dutchman, who claimed the Premier League Golden Boot last season, is 11-10 with Hills to sign for the champions by the start of the season, while bet365 have him at 11-8 to be a Citizen on September 1.
United, who reportedly made an offer of £20m which is said to fall between five and ten million short of Arsenal’s valuation, are 11-4 to get their man for the start of the season and 9-4 to have him in by the end of August.
Juventus are the third team in the hunt for van Persie and would no doubt be Arsenal’s preference given a move to Manchester would only increase the strength of their Premier League rivals. However, rumours in Italy have suggested Juve have baulked at the overall package it would cost to take van Persie to Turin and the Old Lady are 4-1 to beef up their forward line.
Arsenal have been known to keep wantaway stars until the backend of the transfer window – Samir Nasri started last term with Arsene Wenger’s squad before heading to City – and van Persie can be backed at 10-3 with Hills to begin the 2012-13 campaign with the Emirates outfit, who are 12-1 to win the Premier League.
